Chicago vs Atlanta
Cost of Living (2026)

Atlanta is 7% more affordable than Chicago.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Chicago, IL

COL index107
State income tax4.95% ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$330K ✓
VS

Atlanta, GA

COL index99 ✓
State income tax5.75%
Avg 1BR rent$1,550/mo ✓
Median home price$390K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryChicago indexAtlanta indexDifference
Housing139129 ✓-10%
Groceries10194 ✓-7%
Transportation10295 ✓-7%
Healthcare10496 ✓-8%
Utilities10195 ✓-6%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Chicago → Atlanta

What salary in Atlanta gives you the same purchasing power as your Chicago salary?

Salary in ChicagoEquivalent in AtlantaDifference
$60,000$56,000$-4,000
$80,000$75,000$-5,000
$100,000$94,000$-6,000
$130,000$122,000$-8,000
$150,000$141,000$-9,000
$200,000$187,000$-13,000

Chicago vs Atlanta: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Chicago, IL and Atlanta, GA, Atlanta comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 99 versus 107 for Chicago — a difference of approximately 7%.

State income tax impact

Chicago workers pay 4.95% Illinois state income tax, while Atlanta workers pay 5.75%.

Housing costs

The median home price in Chicago is $330,000, compared to $390,000 in Atlanta. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Chicago versus $1,550/month in Atlanta.

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